Legendary head coach J.T. Curtis guides John Curtis, the nation's new No. 1 team.
Photo by Roddy Johnson
Three weeks, three different No. 1 teams.
So the rankings go when upset losses shock the No. 1 team in the Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.
Last week, St. Thomas Aquinas stunned Manatee in Florida; this week, Allen manhandled No. 1 DeSoto in the Texas Class 5A-I semifinals 51-36.
That opened the door for the nation's new No. 1 team: Curtis.
The Louisiana Class 2A state champion feasted on competition this season, outscoring opponents 667-60. The Patriots didn't face the gauntlet of teams that other teams in the Top 10 faced, but they dominated every step of the way.
Led by legendary head coach J.T. Curtis, this year's Patriots squad is likely the best that has ever walked through the halls of the River Ridge, La., school.
Katy, which notched a big victory over Steele in the Texas Class 5A-II semifinals, rises to the No. 2 spot with one game to play.
The nation's new No. 3 team is Norcross (Ga.), which completed a perfect season by defeating a powerful Lovejoy squad 21-14. The Gwinnett County squad has an impressive list of victories that includes North Gwinnett, Camden County and Colquitt County.
On the strength of a decisive victory over Corona Centennial, De La Salle moves to No. 4. The Spartans overcame early-season struggles to notch a CIF Bowl Game victory for the fourth-straight year.
Allen and North Allegheny also enjoyed significant jumps in the rankings.
Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard1. (2) Curtis (River Ridge, La.), 14-0Season complete. Class 2A champion.
2. (3) Katy (Texas), 15-0In a battle of Class 5A heavyweights, Katy outlasted Steele 45-33.
Story3. (8) Norcross (Ga.), 15-0Norcross polished off a truly remarkable season by beating a very good Lovejoy squad in the Class AAAAAA final 21-14.
Story4. (5) De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 15-0For the third year in a row, De La Salle closed out its season with a victory in the CIF Open Division Bowl Game.
Story5. (4) Bellevue (Wash.), 14-0Season complete. Class 3A champion.
